Red Cross Continues to Support Queens Families After Sewage Emergency

One of the 100+ homes affected by a major sewage backup in Queens.

Since a major sanitation emergency in South Ozone, Queens forced hundreds of residents from their homes Saturday afternoon — two days after Thanksgiving — the American Red Cross has been working around the clock to support distraught and displaced residents coping with feet of raw sewage in their homes.

The day of the initial sewage backup, Red Cross disaster relief teams arrived at the scene and coordinated with NYC Emergency Management to open a Reception Center for impacted families at a neighborhood school. After staying open at the school on Sunday, the Center transitioned to the nearby hotel — Courtyard by Marriott, 145-11 N. Conduit Ave. — where it will remain open for families throughout the week.

At the school and at the hotel, the Red Cross has provided meals, water, and has met one-on-one with affected residents to determine housing needs and provide emergency financial assistance. Also on hand to help are Red Cross health and mental health volunteers and nurses to address individual emotional and health concerns.

Interim Greater NY Red Cross CEO, Susan Rounds speaks to
volunteer Georgine Gorra at a Service Center in Queens 

As of Wednesday morning, the Red Cross has registered 80 families for assistance, of whom approximately 30 families needed emergency housing, which has been provided in area hotels.

Today the Red Cross is going door to door to deliver “clean up kits” — which is a bucket that includes disinfectant and cleaning supplies. As of 1:00 P.M. on Wednesday, Red Cross volunteers distributed 120 kits to area homes.

Among the multiple City agencies working at the Reception Center alongside the Red Cross to support these Queens families has been NYC Emergency Management, the Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Health, NYC Comptroller’s Office, FDNY, and the Office of the Mayor. 

Red Cross volunteer prepare to distribute cleanup kits.